On Inheritance and Development

Inheritance and development are timeless themes in the study of education. As generations succeed one another and cultural traditions are passed on, education assumes the vital role of inheriting and developing the entirety of human cultural phenomena. This responsibility safeguards the continuity of civilization, making it an eternal and sacred mission of pedagogy. However, have we truly grasped the essence of inheritance and development?

Historically, both Eastern and Western cultures emphasized tradition and were resistant to individual innovation. In ancient Chinese education, the classical treatise Xueji quoted the Shangshu·Dui Ming to demand strict adherence to traditional texts: "Always maintain focus on classical learning" (1). Similarly, in medieval Europe, many scientists faced restrictions, and the significance of development was largely overlooked. In contrast, modern society exhibits an almost unbridled enthusiasm for innovation, where the pursuit of novelty in modern concepts, technologies, and arts often leads to the abandonment or destruction of valuable traditions. Neither extreme—over-reliance on tradition nor unrestrained innovation—constitutes an ideal state of inheritance and development. As educators, we must recognize the relationship between these two aspects: inheritance must not hinder progress, and innovation must not be reckless. More importantly, educators should guide students to pursue reasonable innovation based on a solid foundation of inheritance, thereby aligning human culture with a proper trajectory of inheritance and development.

The Role of Information in Inheritance and Development

Information is the key to understanding inheritance and development. To comprehend their essence, one must first define information. Information is the record of the structural composition of matter in the universe. All material entities—from the macrocosmic to the microscopic—exist in a state of motion and form various configurations, the records of which constitute information.

From the perspective of physics, all entities are composed of particles, ranging from molecules and atoms to neutrons, neutrinos, quarks, and baryons. Philosophically, matter is infinitely divisible, implying the existence of countless layers of particles. The combination and motion of these particles generate vast quantities of information. For instance, a single grain of sand is estimated to contain approximately ten to the power of nineteen silicon dioxide molecules, each of which can be further divided into atoms. The number of atoms in a grain of sand approaches the total number of grains of sand on Earth (about seven times ten to the power of eighteen). Given that each particle undergoes complex and high-speed motion, the information within a grain of sand could rival the complexity of the Milky Way.

The immense information inherent in matter highlights that the development of any entity is the manifestation of its original information. In the natural world, the genetic code of a plant seed contains all the information for its growth, including stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits. Similarly, the genes of an animal embryo determine its future structure and development. Even weather changes in nature provide precursors, such as rain clouds indicating impending rainfall. Human society also operates on this principle; plans or intentions often dictate the outcome of actions. Without an initial foundation of information, no entity can arise or evolve. Thus, development is inextricably linked to inheritance—it builds upon the transmission of pre-existing information.

The Process of Cultural Inheritance and Development

Culture, as a holistic entity, represents the sum of human achievements, encompassing both spiritual and material dimensions. The spiritual aspect involves understanding and meaning, while the material aspect involves techniques and forms. Cultural branches, such as art, military strategy, and etiquette, all have origins traceable to their creators. For example, in ancient China, figures such as the Yellow Emperor (military strategy), Shennong (agriculture), and Fuxi (culinary and housing innovations) laid the foundations of various cultural branches. These creators embedded profound information into their cultural contributions, awaiting exploration and development by future generations.

Creators establish foundational principles for their cultural branches, which inherently contain developmental information. Development, then, involves the exploration and expression of this original information in new forms. For instance, Confucian culture, founded by Confucius around 500 BCE, is based on the principles of ren (benevolence) and li (propriety). These principles, though seemingly simple, contain profound implications. Successive Confucian scholars expanded upon them—Mencius developed the theory of human nature (jin xin zhi xing) (3), Xunzi emphasized the integration of li and law (long li zhong fa) (4), and Dong Zhongshu in the Han Dynasty incorporated Confucian principles into state governance. These developments illustrate how the exploration of foundational principles fosters cultural evolution.

Inheritance involves mastering the comprehensive understanding and techniques developed by predecessors. Innovations build upon these foundations, integrating new insights and skills into the cultural branch. Without a thorough grasp of prior achievements, one cannot fully comprehend or advance the foundational principles, as inheritance and development are deeply interconnected.

The Significance of Inheritance and Development

Inheritance and development are essential for preserving achievements and history. The vast and intricate information embedded in culture requires successive generations to sustain and expand it. Disregarding the principles of inheritance and development in favor of rapid innovation results in superficial creations devoid of depth and sustainability. Furthermore, inheritance ensures that history remains a living element of contemporary culture, enriching it with practical applications rather than static records.

Inheritance and development also safeguard cultural identity and stability. A nation's cultural identity stems from its foundational ideas, such as Daoist philosophy in Chinese culture. This philosophy, represented by the Book of Changes (5), emphasizes harmony through yin and yang and moral cultivation. Chinese political systems, daily artifacts, and even architectural designs reflect these Daoist principles, creating a cohesive cultural identity. Maintaining such a cultural system requires adhering to its original principles. Disregarding these principles risks diluting cultural identity, leading to assimilation and eventual cultural decline.

Practical Requirements for Inheritance and Development

To effectively achieve inheritance and development, one must possess a genuine commitment to cultural responsibility. Such responsibility entails protecting and advancing cultural traditions for the collective benefit, rather than pursuing personal fame or profit. True inheritance demands perseverance, as acquiring the wisdom and skills of predecessors is an arduous task. Educators must instill in students a strong sense of responsibility and resilience, fostering their ability to undertake the laborious yet rewarding process of cultural inheritance and development.

In practice, one must not only inherit but also thoroughly understand the foundational principles established by cultural creators. Only by fully grasping these principles can one uncover implicit information and advance the culture in alignment with its original trajectory. Finally, it is essential to transmit both inherited and newly developed achievements to future generations, ensuring the continuity and vitality of cultural traditions.

Educators and students are guardians of their nation’s cultural heritage and lifeblood. By committing to inheritance and development, they contribute to the enduring prosperity of their cultural legacy while advancing the collective achievements of humanity.

References

Xueji, Sishu Wujing, Zhongguo Shudian, 1985, Volume II, p. 198.

Shangshu, Sishu Wujing, Zhongguo Shudian, 1985, Volume I, p. 74.

Mencius: Jin Xin Shang, Sishu Wujing, Zhongguo Shudian, 1985, Volume I, p. 101.

Xunzi: Quan Xue Pian, Selections of Ancient Chinese Literature, Volume I, p. 169.

Zhou Yi, Zhongguo Shudian, 1985 Edition.